The objective of the study is to evaluate the impact of two pedagogical motivational approaches for plaque and gingival bleeding control among 135 students of local public schools in Santa Tereza, Brazil, in 1999 The motivational program consisted of different educational strategies offered to two distinct groups: Group A, who attended only one explanatory session about oral hygiene, and Group B, who attended a total of four pedagogical sessions. In order to evaluate the methodology applied, the visible plaque index (according to Ainamo & Bay, 1975) and gingival bleeding index (according to L e and Silness, 1963) were calculated. A highly statistically significant reduction in the visible plaque index and gingival bleeding index was observed in both groups after the educational sessions (p<0.001). Moreover, a higher reduction in the gingival bleeding index and an even more accentuated decrease in the visible plaque index was found in group B when compared to group A (p<0.001). In conclusion, the motivational reinforcement in educational and preventive programs has a positive effect for the reduction and control of gingival bleeding and bacterial plaque.

Este estudo teve o propósito de realizar um levantamento epidemiológico retrospectivo dos registros de atendimentos do setor de urgência da Faculdade de Odontologia - UFRGS, durante o semestre de 2002/1. Um total de 918 pacientes foi atendido neste período e foram analisados os dados referentes à idade, gênero, história médica pregressa, uso de fármacos, diagnóstico relacionado à queixa e achados estomatológicos, bem como o tratamento de urgência realizado. Foi constatado que: 63,51% dos pacientes tinham entre 21 e 50 anos, com predominância do gênero feminino (65,24%) em relação ao gênero masculino (34,76%); as causas mais freqüentes de atendimentos foram: pulpite, abscesso periapical agudo, cárie profunda, necrose pulpar, cárie, abscesso periodontal e fratura dentária. Os tratamentos mais realizados foram: abertura de câmara, restauração provisória, exodontia e prescrição de medicamento.

The purpose of this article was to investigate the effect of personal awareness and attitudes, the dentist's role, oral hygiene habits, and fluoride use on total absence of caries in adults, using a case-control study, matched for sex and age with undergraduate students from two private Brazilian universities. Crude analysis using conditional logistic regression failed to show any effect for the related variables regarding fluoride use and oral hygiene habits (p > 0.20). Use of dental floss was the only exception in this set. It appeared as a risk factor, since individuals who stated not flossing presented a crude odds ratio (OR) of 0.70, or 0.73 when adjusted for regular visits to the dentist. The effect for regular visits to the dentist was that of a risk. Those with a history of caries presented a crude odds ratio of 1.55; after adjusting for dental floss use, the risk was slightly higher (OR = 1.67). Oral hygiene habits, contrary to the formulated hypothesis, did not display the expected protective effect. Likewise, fluoride use was not significantly associated with absence of caries. Individuals with a history of caries were used to visiting more professionals, confirming the formulated hypothesis for this variable. Nevertheless, it is still intriguing that some people fail to develop caries, even they report not practicing measures considered ideal for oral health.

ObjectiveWe analyze the socio-demographic profile of the dentistry graduates at the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, 2010Sul, -2011, the reasons which led them to choose Dentistry, appreciation for the course, as well as job prospects and Graduate studies. -sectional, observational study Dentistry graduates, classes of 2010-sectional, observational study Dentistry graduates, classes of -2/ 2011. Data collection took place through the giving of a structured and anonymous pre-tested questionnaire. Methods Cross Results were grouped in tables and graphs by means of the distribution of the frequency of variables studied (descriptive analysis), with the assistance of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) for Windows 17.0. This Study was approved by the Committee on Ethics in Research of the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (18249). Results The classes of 2010-2/ 2011-1 Dentistry Graduates of the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do

O número de pessoas idosas está aumentando no mundo. Este aumento na população idosa é mais rápido nos países em desenvolvimento, incluindo o Brasil. As necessidades de saúde bucal e a preservação de dentes entre as pessoas idosas têm aumentado o interesse na Odontogeriatria. A Odontologia Geriátrica está se tornando não apenas um importante tema da educação odontológica. É importante não perder tempo para a incorporação da Odontogeriatria nos currículos de gradução e pós-graduação em Odontologia. Este trabalho examina aspectos demográficos, conceitos atuais, introduz novos conceitos relativos à Odontogeriatria e expõe como a Odontogeriatria está iniciando como disciplina na Faculdade de Odontologia da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul.